Chapter 68

Jareth froze under the man's icy glare. Even when Acacia left him to study abroad three years ago, he hadn't been this furious.

Jareth had only been teasing. That was just his nature—wealthy, influential, and blunt. With close friends, he never held back. He'd meant to poke fun at Thaddeus, but he'd accidentally crossed a line.

And that line? His ex-wife.

The bartender paled, trembling. How many people in Elmsworth could push Thaddeus to this level of rage?

"Thad," Jareth ventured cautiously, "have you... fallen for her?"

Thaddeus's grip tightened, his knuckles white. His head had cleared slightly, but his chest ached like a vice had clamped around it.

"Thad, you've changed since the divorce." Jareth studied him intently. "We've known each other since we were kids. Don't you think it's time to be honest?"

"I don't like her," Thaddeus ground out, as if the words tasted bitter.

"Fine. You don't like her. Then let's drop it."

"Jareth!"

Ignoring his fury, Jareth pressed on. "Listen, if you still have feelings for her and want to fix things, I'll support you. But if you're just pissed because another man is pursuing her, then step aside. Because I know what I want. I like her, and I plan to chase her."

Thaddeus staggered back as if struck, his breath ragged.

Jareth straightened his suit, exhaling sharply before pulling a velvet box from his pocket. The sapphire necklace glinted under the dim light.

Thaddeus stiffened. "She—"

"She refused it." Jareth laughed bitterly. "She's not the gold-digger you think she is. After leaving you, she returned everything. Thaddeus, what the hell did you do to her? Every time she sees you, it's like facing an enemy. Doesn't that tell you something?"

Thaddeus's jaw clenched. Memories flooded him—the handmade suit, the gifts she'd painstakingly prepared, all ignored. A sharp pang twisted in his chest.

After work, Evadne didn’t go home. She sent Jason ahead and headed to the cathedral instead.

The grand golden dome loomed above, majestic and serene. Cassius stood beneath the towering cross, clad in his priestly robes, delivering his sermon with quiet authority. Evadne sat in the back, absorbing his words like a balm to her soul.

When the service ended, Cassius closed his Bible and approached her with a gentle smile. "You should've told me you were coming." He ruffled her hair affectionately.

"I didn’t want to disturb you," she murmured.

"Something’s bothering you." He sat beside her, his voice soft.

"Is it that obvious?"

She exhaled, frustration darkening her expression. "Cassius, I messed up today. I used Jareth to provoke Thaddeus. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help it. Seeing him with Acacia, watching him compete to buy her a necklace—it hurt. I wanted him to feel even a fraction of what I feel."

Cassius sighed, wrapping an arm around her. "You still love him, don’t you?"

She leaned into him, her lashes damp. "I gave him my youth, my heart. How do I just... stop?" Her voice cracked. "I’m scared I’ll never love anyone like that again."

"Love isn’t finite, Evadne. Pain fades. The heart heals." He tilted her chin up. "Be brave. Chase what you want—or let it go. But don’t let fear decide for you."

"I chased him once. Look where that got me." She laughed bitterly. "Wrong time, wrong person. I don’t think I can do it again."

Cassius frowned. At her age, she shouldn’t sound so jaded. "You loved him deeply. That’s not wasted. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be."

"Or maybe I was blind."

Her phone buzzed—Jason.

"Miss! Finally! The signal here’s terrible!" His voice crackled with excitement. "Check the live stream! Glynnis is holding a press conference—she’s apologizing to our staff!"

Evadne shot to her feet, shock flashing across her face.

The Abernathy Group had folded too quickly. Yesterday, Glynnis had been ready for war. Today, she was surrendering? Something—or someone—had forced her hand.

Frederic doted on Glynnis. Elspeth shielded her. The only person who could’ve made this happen was...

No.

Evadne shoved the thought aside and opened the live feed.

The screen exploded with comments as Glynnis, pale and stiff in a black dress, bowed before the press.

"Due to my emotional outburst, I unjustly blamed an innocent employee..." Her voice wavered. "I deeply regret my actions."

The crowd wasn’t buying it.

"Pathetic! She’s still acting!"

"Where’s this energy when she was bullying that girl?"

Evadne smirked. Glynnis’s pride was finally crumbling.

Then another call interrupted—just as things were getting interesting.